Rising Star by JS Taylor Read Free Book Online Page A

dance they do on TV. Ballroom, or something.”
    I consider this. It’s not such a bad idea. Certainly the concept is original. And it might be a way to bring our two styles together with a little humour.
    I picture two bands facing up for a dance off, and breaking into unexpectedly classical moves. I find myself smiling.
    Tammy catches my face and grins.
    “George does ballet,” she says, turning to Dev.as.station. “How about that?”
    “Yeah,” agrees Cher. “That could work.” She ponders for a moment. “I did ballet too,” she says. “As a little kid. All the boys are really fit,” she adds proudly. “We could easily teach them some ballet moves.”
    Dushane is smiling now.
    “The boys could dress in those tight ballet costumes, but still keep our caps and trainers,” he adds. “That would look funny. Right?”
    “It’s not a comedy,” complains George. Although she’s sounding less sure of herself now. “We’re not in it for laughs.”
    “But a little humour could work really well,” I say, adding my voice to the discussion. “After all, we’re from quite different music disciplines. It’s a good way to gently poke fun at the collaboration. And we could do some really cool stuff with the changes.”
    Already I’m imaging how we might combine a garage sound into the bridge.
    “It could be great,” I decide. My mind is working excitedly over the musical possibilities.
    “Ok then,” says Cher. “Let’s get some stuff down on paper, and talk to the video crew.”
     
    After some time collaborating, I’ve a completely reformed opinion of the Dev.as.station boys. I always liked Cher, and was excited to work with a new style of music. But now I have a real appreciation of their talent.
    The boys remind me a little of the Lost Boys in Peter Pan. Sure, they’re rough round the edges, and unruly. But at the heart of it, they’re good lads. Not only that, they’re talented and hardworking. And they came from nothing, and managed to bring their musical ideas into an arena where it could be recognised.
    I know how scary it was for me, to come from Wales to London and work as a singer. But in many ways they had it harder. With their tough-guy accents and street appearance, they must have experienced prejudice and snobbery at every turn. They’ve got through it all and I admire them for it. Not only that, but they are really great collaborators. If it wasn’t for George’s open hostility, working with them would be a dream.
     
    After a few hours putting ideas together, we have a rough song outline and a concept. The video will take the form of a classic dance off. But the moves will be unexpectedly classical. Then, at the bridge, we’ll dance with one another as our music styles merge.
    We explain our idea to the video crew, who seem gratifyingly enthusiastic. Even George has lost some of her frostiness now we’ve started working as a team.
    This could be good, I find myself thinking.
    I catch Tammy’s eye. I know she thinks the same. She turns adoringly to Cher, and I feel a little tug. Perhaps Tammy would be better off as a member of Dev.as.station. Certainly she’d get more of the limelight.
    I brush the thought aside. The video can be left to the experts for the time being. But now we have to get the music nailed.
     
    We spend a long few hours starting the musical mix, and make some good progress. Because of their format, Dev.as.station are used to sharing ideas as a big group, and are generous collaborators. Before long we have the song mostly nailed, and we know how it’s going to work visually.
    “So we start out with our own styles compl ementing one another, and gradually blend?” confirms George, who has been the slowest to pick up the musical hook.
    I nod. “Exactly.”
    “Sounds… Good,” she says finally. “I think we’ve got some good things going on.”
    We all turn to her in amazement. Even Dushane looks a little shocked at this. George has been nothing but